15.12.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC Open Debate on Leadership for Peace

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Thank you, Mr. President.

And let me also thank former Secretary-General, his excellency Ban Ki-moon for his insightful briefing.

I also thank Ms. Dayal. As we look towards the selection of the next Secretary-General, the role of civil society will be critical. So thank you for your reflections and recommendations.

Mr. President,

Eighty years ago, in the wake of unimaginable devastation, world leaders made a defining choice: to anchor our future in multilateralism.

It was a choice to build peace, freedom and social progress through cooperation.

From that conviction, the United Nations was born.

Across the decades, this organisation has since shown what principled and courageous leadership is, and  what it can achieve.

Dag Hammarskjöld forged the foundations of modern peace operations with the first UN peacekeeping force.

U Thant demonstrated diplomacy at its finest, helping to diffuse the Cuban Missile Crisis as we just hear from Ms. Dayal.

Kofi Annan charted a new path for humanity through the Millennium Development Goals.

And Ban Ki-moon played a central role in mobilising support for the Paris Climate Agreement.

As Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has carried forward this legacy, guiding the UN through its perhaps most challenging period, marked by the climate crisis and unprecedented levels of armed conflict. His steadfast commitment to the 2030 Agenda and reform initiatives has been vital in strengthening this organisation.

These examples remind us that global leadership is not theoretical. It is real and it is measured in lives saved, livelihoods sustained and futures secured.

Mr. President,

The next Secretary-General will assume office at a moment when the UN, and the very principles it embodies, are under unprecedented strain.

The person who steers us through these turbulent times therefore matters profoundly.

For Denmark, we seek a leader who is principled, ambitious and forward-leaning. A General, as much as a Secretary.

One who can inspire trust in a divided world: with the public, with Member States, and with parties to conflict alike.

One who acts decisively and preventively in the face of growing tensions. Who acts as a guardian of international law and clear, undeterrable voice for the international rule of law.

That is the essence of diplomacy and, indeed, the mandate of the world’s top diplomat.

We also need a Secretary-General who holds a clear vision for the organisation and stands ready to reform and adapt it to changing realities.

As we seek to identify the most capable individual, we wholeheartedly welcome and encourage Member States to nominate female candidates.

Mr. President,

Around this table, we have a special responsibility to maintain international peace and security. But the Security Council itself is only one piece of a broader whole.

To be effective, we need all parts of the UN system, especially the Secretary-General and the Secretariat, working in lock-step, using all of the tools and resources at our disposal.

Concretely, we encourage more proactive use of Article 99, empowering the Secretary-General to bring early warning and prevention matters to our attention.

We also underline the importance of the good offices of the Secretary-General and their representatives around the world. This instrument should be used in a bold manner, even when the risk of failure seems high.

Peace operations remain one of the UN’s most effective and flexible responses. Protecting those who cannot protect themselves and supporting the foundations for lasting peace – often under challenging conditions. We support the ongoing reform efforts of this indispensable tool to ensure its continued relevance to address the conflicts of both today and tomorrow.

Mr. President,

Denmark encourages qualified candidates to step forward in a timely manner.

To participate fully and transparently in the processes of both the Security Council and the General Assembly and to engage meaningfully with civil society.

In closing,

Let us demonstrate that leadership for peace is more than a slogan.

That we select and appoint a leader with vision, courage, determination and an unwavering commitment to the Charter.

Denmark looks forward to participating fully and actively to this end.

I Thank you.